Wealth of the giving; Heart of the kind.

Sometimes, I just have to step back and marvel at the people that God has put in my life.

Like the Matthews, for instance.

Tonight is my last night as a resident of the Matthews' house. I spent 7 weeks here back in the summer of '09, and 2 months (to the day) this summer. It has become one of my "home"s in my stay here on earth.

Their hospitality has amazed me. Mrs. Sarah has cooked some of the most delectable and varied foods. Mr. Craig has provided such good conversation and leadership (and patience with my quirks). Drew is my best friend here in Centreville. Their hospitality has glorified God.

The beauty of it is that, while the Matthews have offered all this (lodging, food, association, guidance, friendship, patience, etc...) willingly and out of the goodness of their heart, the fact is that every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.

We get to rejoice both in the giver and the Source of their giving.

He is the Wealth of the giving, the Heart of the kind.
______________________________________________________________
Since my last post:
-- Blessed to teach through Hosea 12. Just one more study. If you have time, read Hosea 11 today. It's just wow.
-- Blessed to attend the wonderful wedding of Eric and Olivia Parker. Served as the MC for the reception. Hakuna Matata. :)
-- Blessed to start running again! After 3 weeks, gingerly ran some, took days off. The tendon-thingy is still hurting periodically, but I've been stretching more, and have been able to get 2 or 3 1-hour runs in. Praise God for helping us to appreciate our health! It's so fragile.
-- Blessed to study through parts of Titus with Mrs. Matthews in the morning. Those have been excellent, and such a refreshing way to start the day.
-- Blessed to have the Chariot fixed!!! Jack Grotenroth worked some wonders in his 8-hour diagnostic/repair, and for now it's no longer on the brink! Thank God for vehicles!
-- Blessed to finish "Words Fitly Spoken" with Katie and Catherine. I've never worked so hard on a hymn, and I'm so thankful that God allows His children to serve in this way. Music + Poetry + God's inspired Word = BOOM. Best explosion ever.
-- Blessed to take a day trip to Harper's Ferry with Ashley and Ben Dixon, and their friend Thomas. Good times, good stories, good spiritual conversation. Win x3.
-- Blessed to rock out at a Marc Broussard concert--I'm not super familiar with his music, but it was fun nonetheless. Good company: Alex and Lauren Smith, and Joe Riley. There's hope for me yet.
-- Blessed to surprise Aurie Adams with an awkward wad for her birthday. Yes, that's right. Also: jet skis. Very yes.
-- Blessed to preach out at Dulles--wonderful brethren there, and wonderful lunch and conversations at the Underwoods afterwards. Crazy incident at a toll booth where I forgot my wallet. Turned out fine, but whew.
-- Blessed to work a lot on time management. I've come a long way, but I've got a long way to go. Self-control is... just that.
-- Blessed to finish the "Studies in the Cross of Christ" with Antoine. We've started a survey of the blood of Christ per his request. If you've never looked into that, do.
-- Blessed to learn to drive a stick. I need more practice, but I can get one around. Still struggling with parking uphill. Backwards.
-- Blessed to be more content with being single than I have in a long time. Thank You, Lord.
-- Blessed to finish "Erasing Hell" by Francis Chan. Highly recommended. Not a fun read. Definitely super motivating.
-- Blessed to hang out a good bit with Drew, Alex, and Lauren. Pei Wei (stellar), new car (sweet), Rango (meh), and good times all around.
-- Blessed to have a blast singing and playing countless rounds of Ninja at the Adams house with the young people. Oh, so many good times.
-- Blessed to preach several times: The Heart of Modesty, One Thing (Php 3-4), Our Great Enemy (1 John), Greater Is He Who Is in You (1 John).
-- Blessed to attend the gorgeous wedding of Micah and Kathryn Bingham. So many good people. So many good sentiments. Such a beautiful occasion. Let's make the church the most beautiful bride we can.
-- Blessed to write a little song on the uke for my mom's 50th. Workin' on fleshing it out and getting it recorded.
-- Blessed to realize just how blessed I am. Or at least begin to see more of them. :)

For Ezra had set his heart to
study the law of the LORD, and to
do it, and to
teach His statutes and rules in Israel.
- Ezra 7:10